HONG KONG MEGA-DIARY
Text and Photos by Bayani S. San Diego Jr., May 9, 2000

It was a mega-adventure of sorts for Megastar Sharon Cuneta. Her nth Hong Kong trip marked the beginning of an important chapter in her music career--a thrilling Tram ride she shared with Andy Lau and Jim Brickman.

April 1
Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila

The adventure, of course, began at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

As she walked across the hallowed hallways of the Manila airport, passing through customs and the Duty Free Shop, Megastar Sharon Cuneta made not a few heads turn. A number of airport employees even left their workstations just to see Miss Mega up close.

Shawie, as usual, was unperturbed by all the fuss and frenzy. She even bought a croissant and cappuccino ("my breakfast") at the airport cafeteria. But before boarding the Cathay plane that would take her to Hong Kong for the nth time, Sharon whispered to you Mega-Travel Tip no. 1: "Be sure to eat first, you might not like the food served onboard."

April 1
Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

For the very first time, Miss Mega, who has been a regular visitor since age two, flew to Hong Kong not for a holiday but for work.

Still, as Sharon planed in HK's spiffy, new airport (the Chek Lap Kok), she could barely contain her excitement. And it was not only because the pilots of Cathay Pacific had her as their special guest in the cockpit as they landed the plane ("dizzying!"), but also because she was about to start an important chapter in her stellar 22-year music career ("As if I was back in my 'Mr. DJ' days!").

For six days in April (1 to 6), Miss Mega, accompanied by BMG execs, stayed in Hong Kong, to wax a duet with Cantopop superstar Andy Lau. As bonus, there was also a music video to shoot, as well as a solo song to record. The duet ("In Your Eyes") and the solo song ("Where's the Good in Goodbye") were both composed by world-class hitmaker Jim Brickman--the same gifted musician behind such chartbusting ballads as "Your Love", "The Gift", and "Valentine".

BMG Pilipinas, with whom Sharon signed her international record deal, is indeed pulling out all the stops for the Megastar's new album (her first outside home studio Viva), which will be released throughout Asia, and later all over the world.

As such, you couldn't really blame Miss Shawie if she is a tad nervous about this, her latest adventure, not only in Hong Kong, but in the international music scene.

April 1
Central - Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong

"I'm sorry, but I could never ever travel light," Sharon once quipped.

Indeed, her trunks (Louis Vuitton, of course) were packed with all the essentials (her laptop) and non-essentials (stacks of US magazines!) from home. But, the most important item in her luggage was a picture of her family (Kiko, KC, and Shawie beaming beside their Christmas tree) which she proudly displays by her bedside--whatever part of the world she may be.

Upon checking in at the luxurious Harbour Plaza, Sharon however chose not to unpack. Instead, she led the entire Philippine contingent (which included manager Sandra Chavez of Artist House, makeup artist Peachy Garcia, and the BMG Pilipinas staff, accompanied by travel agent Alex Chan-Rivera, tour guide Anthony, and BMG HK's Stephen Chan) for a marathon shopping-sightseeing expedition in Central HK.

First stop, of course, was the Louis Vuitton Global Store at the Landmark (same shop whose opening Sharon and Aga Muhlach graced a year ago). Sharon needed to have her luggage repaired and to buy replacement keys for the ones she misplaced.

After Vuitton, what followed was a whirlwind spree in such expensive shops as Joyce, Gucci, and Loewe.

Whew!

Quite naturally, all that shopping revved up the entire crew's appetite. En route to dinner, however, Sharon and company took a slight detour, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the half-mile-long Midlevels Escalator, said to be the longest escalator in the world.

"As you move up the escalator, the boutiques become more upscale," our guide Alex told Shawie. Sharon took in the unplanned walking tour with unabashed enthusiasm. It's not every day, after all, that a Megastar is given the chance to walk down a city street in peace.

Relative peace, it was.

A Filipino here and there would inevitably recognize her. Turning their heads this way and that, they would gasp in amazement: "Si Sharon ba 'yon?" But before they could answer their own queries, Miss Mega would have been several steps away.

Now, you know why she walks fast. Very fast.

The walking tour finished, Sharon and company readied themselves for a lauriat. Quite appropriately, the Megastar's dinner was set at The Superstar, a Chinese restaurant whose foyer was decorated with framed pictures of several Hong Kong celebrities, including "Papa" Chow Yun-Fat, who starred with Jodie Foster in Anna and the King. "One of owners is a Chinese superstar," Sharon explained, Thus, the name.

"Perhaps we should open a restaurant called The Megastar next door," someone suggested.

After dinner, the crew moved to the neighboring cafÈ The American Pie, in the heart of the Lan Kwai Fong district (think of a Chinese Malate), for coffee and cheesecake.

On our way back to the hotel, Sharon walked down the famed cobbled streets of So-Ho (South of Hollywood Road). As we passed by an open bar/bistro, its obviously Filipino singer was momentarily stunned. It looked as if he was about to have a heart attack, just because Sharon smiled at him. His song, oddly enough, was "Staying Alive".

Enthralling and action-packed was Sharon's HK adventure. And that was just the first night.

April 2-3
Harbour Plaza Hotel - Q Sound Studio
Hong Kong

On the second day, Sharon dutifully stayed in the hotel the whole time--resting, reading, watching TV, preparing for the Big Day.

Upon seeing the foggy harbor view outside her suite, Sharon wisely chose to stay indoors. Although the cool, nippy HK weather was good news for tourists, it was bad for singers.

On the third day, Sharon was still a bundle of nerves, as the clock ticked for her very first meeting with composer Jim Brickman and music video directors Danny Yu and Kenny Bi at the New Melody office--a production company owned by Andy Lau, which was in the same building as the BMG offices, just across the street from the Harbour Plaza Hotel.

Also present were Jim's tour manager and fellow singer John Trones, Nancy Farbman of Windham Hill Records (Jim's label), and Melody Ng and Jackie Chan (not the martial artist, but a vocal coach) of New Melody.

Swift and genial, the meeting was then continued over a sumptuous lunch at the hotel's five-star Chinese restaurant, Hoi Yat Heen.

Soon after lunch, the entire crew trooped to the Q Sound Studio for the duet recording. This is it, Sharon seemed to say under her breath as she whispered a prayer and entered the studio--also owned by the talented Mr. Lau.

Andy Lau's career mirrors that of Sharon's, in fact. Both are singing superstars who eventually conquered the world of movies--and advertising. Andy's face is seen in several billboards (and Trams) all over Hong Kong--just like Sharon in Manila. Thus, their team-up becomes all the more inspired. What a brilliant idea it was to unite two of Asia's multi-media megastars in one record.

Ryan Cayabyab, Shawie's Mr. C, planed in all the way from Manila, to make the Megastar feel at ease. "My security blanket," Sha described Mr. C.

Inside the recording booth, the dynamic duo rehearsed with Jim Brickman and John Trones--under the watchful eyes of Mr. C.

Outside, New Melody staffers lined up Sharon's several costumes for the music video--which spanned the '60s, '70s, '80s, and the present.

Taking a momentary break from recording, Sharon had an impromptu costume (and wig) fitting, right there and then. From among the different costumes, Sharon especially liked the cool (present-day) pantsuit from Episode.

Needless to say, Sharon aced the recording. "Amazing," Mr. Brickman was overheard complimenting Shawie. Unknown to Brickman and company, Ms. Mega is dubbed as Ms. Take One in her home turf.

The recording of "In Your Eyes" finished, the entire Philippine contingent took a taxi back to the hotel, for dinner and, ahem, the contract signing with BMG Pilipinas.

April 4
Central, Hong Kong

Because it was a Chinese holiday (Festival of the Dead, much like our very own Todos los Santos), Sharon's fourth day was a free day.

Thus, Sharon earmarked the entire afternoon for malling in her fave haunt--The Landmark in Central.

For lunch, she met up with good friend Jenny Wong (who's pure Chinese) and her son (Sharon's godchild) Man-Man--who was visiting from London where he's a student.

"A future CEO," Sharon proudly described her inaanak.

Just like elegant ladies who lunch, Shawie and Jenny exchanged stories and gifts (pasalubongs and other bilins) between bites at the tres classy La Terrezza.

Shawie and Jenny met when they were but teeners who had just given birth. (Jenny's parents are good friends of Sharon's beloved dad, Mayor Pablo Cuneta.) "Now, our kids are all grown up," Sharon and Jenny sighed.

The gals also had a blast at the Gucci store--where they were eyeing the same black leather jacket. (Sharon, of course, snapped it up, before Jenny could protest.)

Aside from shopping, Sharon also had errands to accomplish--just like a normal mom (aside from the luggage she had repaired at Vuitton the other night, a watch also needed to be adjusted at Dixon's and she also had to buy an MD player as daughter KC's birthday gift).

On her way to HMV and Dixon's (for the errands), a handful of Filipinos spotted her--following her around the mall. Alas, there was no MD player at HMV. So Sharon contented herself with a bunch of CDs and magazines at HMV. (KC's MD player was bought later that evening at the Fortress by TS--Tita Sandra.)

After the requisite picture-taking and autograph-signing with the star-struck Pinoys, Sharon zoomed back to Loewe, for the white leather pants she fell in love with on the first night.

Outside Loewe, dozens of Sharonians waited patiently, holding vigil. A family of tourists from Cebu bravely ventured inside the classy boutique for a snapshot. Sharon and the Loewe crew generously obliged them, if only for the grandmother who seemed sooo pleased to meet Miss Mega.

While Sharon waited for the car outside The Landmark, a crowd of Filipinos suddenly gathered around her--seemingly from out of nowhere.

"It was like winning in the lottery," that was the common sentiment among the fans. Sharon gamely signed away--even consenting to autograph a HK$20 bill.

"Sayang naman," Sharon quipped, as if to say, "Why waste your hard-earned money?"

"That's okay!" the fan exclaimed. "I'd never spend this!"

As Sharon waved goodbye to the fans in front of The Landmark, they let out a collective scream that instantly transported Sharon and company back to Araneta Coliseum.

They chanted: "Sharon! Sharon!"

As if catching a glimpse of Miss Mega was enough to make them forget the pain of homesickness.

April 5
MTV Day
Hong Kong

It was another Big Day for Sharon.

As early as 5:30 in the morning, Sharon was already up and about, readying for the music video shoot with Andy and Jim.

Taped on the dresser mirror was a list of things to be brought to the shoot (Pei Pak Koa, magazines, books, Walkman, camera, et cetera, et cetera).

While she was being made up, Sharon decided to make productive use of her time by checking her e-mail.

The '70s look done (complete with a Farrah Fawcett lioness mane), Sharon and company boarded a coaster and rushed to the shoot's first location: the First Lady boutique in Tsim Sha Tsui mall.

In said scene, Sharon was looking wistfully at a bag in the shop's window display. Andy even helped motivate her: "You want to buy the bag, but you don't have the money . . ."

"But before I buy the bag, I'll get a haircut first," Sharon joked. Andy laughed heartily.

That, in a nutshell, summed up the mood during the entire shoot.

Sharon, whether in Manila or Hong Kong, endeavors to create a light and cheerful mood on the set--as if to make the workload less onerous.

Andy, ever the gentleman, helped Sharon every step of the way. He guided her though her blocking and motivation--even checking out the TV monitor every now and then, to make sure his co-star was at her very best.

After the mall shoot, the troupe proceeded to the Tram terminal in Hong Kong. On the way, Sharon's short bob was curled for the '80s look. The coaster served not only as makeup room, but also as dressing room, where Sharon changed into her '80s costume, (complete with modish trenchcoat).

In the '80s scene, Andy and Sharon ended up on two different Trams--wanting to, but unable to get together. All the while, Brickman observed the two would-be lovers from a distance, seemingly inspired to write a song ("In Your Eyes") for them. That was the gist of the sentimental music video.

"Ma-drama," as Sharon herself would say.

After wrapping up the '80s scene, the cast and crew headed for Park Inn at the Hong Kong Park for lunch (Hainanese Chicken!) and the third and fourth sequences.

Right after lunch, the gray clouds released a downpour. As the directors paced nervously for Plans B and C, the skies just as quickly (and miraculously) cleared up.

Thus, the shoot at the park pushed through, without a glitch. Imagine: Jim, playing on a grand piano in the middle of a verdant lawn, while Sharon and Andy (in their present-day costumes) serenaded Pinoys, promenaders, and paparazzi.

Before shooting her scenes at the park, Sharon, like Jim and Andy before her, was interviewed by Channel [V]. True to form, Sharon finessed through the interview like a seasoned pro.

As the sun set in the picture-perfect park, Sharon changed to her fourth and last costume--the '60s look. The video's '60s scene was set at the Park Inn Bar.

As Sharon walked around in her long, Divina Valencia-inspired hairstyle, she sang the Little Mermaid's aria, to the delight of the BMG staff.

But before they could wrap up work, the music video directors had a final request: if they could please shoot a closeup of Miss Mega's eyes, and later, her lips as well.

Hmmm.

April 6
Q Sound Studio - Episode - Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

As they say: Funny, how time flies . . .

Six whole days passed by oh-so-quickly; Sharon and company had that much fun.

But before going to the airport, Sharon had to take in an interview (with the Oriental Daily) and record one more Brickman song. A soaring, stirring ballad a la Whitney Houston, her solo was entitled "Where's the Good in Goodbye".

As expected, Sharon effortlessly (and masterfully) laid the vocal tracks. "In less than an hour," BMG staffers checked their watches.

With plenty of time to spare, Jim Brickman and John Trones also asked her to do the back-up vocals.

As Sharon, Jim, and John sat around the studio, coming up with instant ad-libs, you could almost feel the artistic energy electrifying the air.

As Miss Shawie warbled an ad-lib (from out of thin air), Jim pointed out that there was "a whole new Janet Jackson song" just waiting to be composed from out of Sharon's improvisations.

Indeed, it was a pleasure to watch genuine artists at work--and at play.

Work finally through, Sharon clambered up the coaster. While looking out the window, she espied an expat in a three-piece suit, walking down the street while his face was buried in a book.

"Just like me, reading while walking," Sharon roared.

World-class shopper that she is, Sharon didn't head straight to the airport. She passed by the Episode boutique and bought 47 (!) items, to fill up two L.V. suitcases.

Overwhelmed and overjoyed, the Episode cashier was shaking as she handed the receipt.

Not yet appeased, she also shopped for books, magazines, and mooncake at the Duty Free Shop of the Chek Lap Kok airport.

While having noodles and sandwiches at the Cathay Lounge (remember Mega-Travel Tip No. 1), Sharon couldn't help reminiscing, singing Jim Brickman's old hits ("Valentine", "Your Love", and "The Gift"), along with her two new songs, "In Your Eyes" (with Andy Lau) and "Where's the Good in Goodbye".

"See, I was able to come up with a medley for my next concert," Sharon joked as she boarded the plane that would eventually take her home--to Kiko and KC, whose birthday fell on the day of her arrival.

Next stop: Bangkok, for her family's Holy Week vacation.